Artist statement and biography

Venessa Possum is a Sydney born Dharug-Dharawal artist with Irish ancestry.

She is currently a confirmed as a candidate in the Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Art at the Queensland College of Art Griffith University. Her previous studies include a Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Art (CAIA) / Fine Art with honours and a university medal in 2017. In the past Venessa studied a Certificate in Visual Art with honours at the National Art School. This was at a time when there were no accredited Aboriginal identified visual art courses in Australia.

Venessa is is highly engaged in experiencing significant sites of her ancestry to reveal a continuity of culture as materiality, species and languages. She is an archivist and her research is leading to a diverse oeuvre of gestural painting, drawing, collage, frottage, photography and video installations.

Recent and upcoming exhibitions, projects and publications

2018: Aboriginal Art Award at the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Prize.

2018: Campbelltown Art Centre, selected for Fishers Ghost Art Prize.

2019: Budbury Baragal Ngurra Darami (Budbury’s Paddock from long ago) a solo exhibition at the Camden Museum in conjunction with the 2018 National Heritage Festival.

2019: Published in the Journal of the Camden Historical Society: Budbury Baragal Ngurra Darami (Budbury’s Paddock from long ago).

2019: Curator Muru yuu Yura Q Theatre Curator May - August, Penrith, New South Wales.

2019: Published in Audrey Journal: https://www.audreyjournal.com.au/arts/muru-yuu-yura-pathways-and-peoples-connectivity/

2020: 22nd Biennale of Sydney, Ngurra bayali, selected artist Blacktown Native Institute and Parramatta Heritage Precinct from March to June.

2020: Terra InFirma, Murura, a commissioned work at the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre from March to June.

2020: Sydney Festival Other Sights - The Future is Floating, selected artist January.

Tarnanthi Festival Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), Badu Biyani selected for Grandmother Law/Lore Oct 2019 to Jan 2020

2020: Carss Cottage Georges River-Sydney, selected artist in residence, Sept to Dec.

2021 - 2022: Casula Powerhouse, selected as lead artist for community projects in and an exhibition.

Summary of professional activities

2019: Confirmed Candidate Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland College of Art Griffith University.

2019 – Present: Dharug Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation [ICN 2734] Member on the Board of Directors, May, Seven Hills NSW.

2018: Lecturer, Queensland College Art Griffith University South Bank Brisbane.

2018: Assistant Producer, ngawiya maan Australian Museum Sydney/ Ngalu Warrawi Marri for GADI won MGNSW Imagine awards exhibition of the year.

2018: Equity and Diversity Committee – First Peoples representative Higher Degree Research, Nathan Campus Brisbane.

2017 to 2018: University Tutor - GUMURRII SSU ATSITAP Griffith University.

2017: Bachelor of Fine Art (Class 1 Honours and University Medal) Queensland College of Art Griffith University.

2017: Presenter CURR a conference held at the Queensland College of Art Griffith University.

2014 to 2017: Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, Queensland College of Art Griffith University - Vice Chancellors Award of Excellence.

2016 to present: Contemporary and traditional possum skin cloak reparation under the mentorship of Amanda Jane Reynolds - Stella Stories.

2016 to 2017: Student Equity Services - Notetaking Network, Griffith University

2015 to 2017: Mentor - GUMURRII Hands Up! Tertiary Preparation

2010 to 2015: Curator and secretary, Inter-National Indigenous Peoples Village (INIPV)

2012: TAFE NSW Higher Education Certificate Cultural Competency, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

1998: TAFE Queensland, Certificate in workplace training, develop learning modules

1996 to 1998: Teacher TAFE Queensland, Certificate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Art (Morningside Campus Brisbane).

1986 – 1988: The National Art School, Certificate with Honours in Visual Art.

Additional artist Biography

2019 Solo exhibition Budbury Baragal Ngurra Darami (Budbury’s Paddock from long ago) Camden Museum, in conjunction with the National Heritage Festival 2019 - Connecting People, Places and the Past.

2019 Group exhibition "Prospect" POP Gallery Brisbane.

2018 Artist consultant, Balarinji and NSW Maritime Authority.

2018 Selected as a finalist in the Blacktown Art Prize, awarded the Aboriginal Art Prize, acquisition Penrith City Council.

2018 Selected as a finalist in the Fishers Ghost Art Prize, Campbelltown Arts Centre.

2018 "Burramattagal imprints” Dharug Cultural Camp, sponsored by the Penrith City Council, Sydney.

2018 Assistant Film Producer "ngawiya maan" for Stella Stories and the Australian Museum Sydney.

2017 Graduate exhibition Bachelor of Fine Art (1st class Honours), Queensland College of Art Griffith University.

2017 Nandeebie Dreamz Redland Art Gallery, Brisbane (alongside Bianca Beetson, Leah King Smith and Tamara White).

2016 Collaborative cultural gathering to develop material culture for the Barangaroo Film Project installed as an interactive feature for the City of Sydney waterfront precinct.

2016 Bruce Heiser Gallery Painting Prize, Queensland College of Art Griffith University.

2016 Graduate exhibition Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.

2016 Group exhibition “Kulcha” Jugglers Gallery Brisbane.

2016 Group Exhibition curated by Professor Pat Hoffie “Waterholes”, The Ship Inn Brisbane.

2015 Group exhibition “Blak History Month,” St Andrews Hospital Brisbane.

2014 Group exhibition “Away from Country” the Project Gallery, Griffith University Art Museum.

2012 Group exhibition “Hands on Weavers” Wagga Wagga Art Gallery NSW.